chlamydia (n.)

type of genital infection, 1984, from the name of the bacteria that causes it (1966), which is formed from a Latinized combining form of Greek khlamys (genitive khlamydos) "short mantle, upper garment for men, military cloak," which is of unknown origin, + abstract noun ending -ia. Said to be so called due to its ability to "cloak" the nuclei of infected cells. Related: chlamydial.